Health care AI company bringing U.S. HQ to Loudoun

Zasti Inc., a health care-related artificial intelligence technology company, is investing $5.9 million to establish its U.S. headquarters in Loudoun County, creating 60 jobs, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced Thursday.

Founded in 2017 in India, Zasti, which is Sanskrit for “prediction,” develops AI-based risk screening, predictive analytics and climate change solutions for the health care industry. The company’s Loudoun-based headquarters will develop and embed its AI platforms in diagnostic devices and enterprise IT systems.

“Virginia represents a confluence of values given its workforce diversity, commitment to the environment and a strong academic research setting,” said Zasti CEO Krish R. Krishnan in a statement. “It is a great place for a transformative, vision-driven business like ours to thrive. Our AI platform offers valuable health risk screening and early disease detection for communities in need while creating low-carbon pathways for our stakeholders. With continued support from Loudoun County and Virginia, we hope to grow our workforce well beyond 60 jobs.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) worked with Loudoun County to secure the project for Virginia, which was in competition with Maryland. Northam approved a $150,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist Loudoun with the project. VEDP’s Virginia Jobs Investment Program will provide funding and services for employee training activities.

“Virginia continues to push new boundaries in artificial intelligence, and we are excited to welcome a global company that is advancing both the technology and healthcare industries with its innovative platform,” Northam said in a statement. “Our commonwealth has the second-highest concentration of technology workers in the country, and Zasti’s Loudoun County operation will tap into the deep well of talent in the region to build on its mission of using artificial intelligence to address our most pressing challenges.”